Elasmopalpus lignosellus

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Hexapoda
Class	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Superorder	Holometabola
Order	Lepidoptera
Superfamily	Pyraloidea
Family	Pyralidae
Subfamily	Phycitinae
Genus	Elasmopalpus

Scientific Name

Elasmopalpus lignosella

Common Name

lesser cornstalk borer

Roberts, P. M. and G. K. Douce, Coordinators. 1999. Weevils and Borers. A County Agent's Guide to Insects Important to Agriculture in Georgia. University of Georgia, Col. Ag. Env. Sci., Cooperative Extension Service, Tifton, GA, USA. Winter School Top Fifty Agricultural Insect Pests and Their Damage Sessions, Rock Eagle 4-H Ctr., Jan. 20, 1999.

Description

The larva of the lesser cornstalk borer (LCB) is dark-colored with purple bands around its body. Full grown larvae are about 3/4" long. When disturbed they flip about very rapidly.

Hosts

LCBs have a wide host range but have the greatest economic impact on corn, small grains, soybeans, peanuts, beans and peas.

Damage

Larvae tunnel into the crown of host plants, severely weakening large plants and often killing young seedlings. On peanuts, LCBs will feed on any portion of the plant that contacts the soil including limbs, pegs and pods. Peanut pods damaged by this insect have been shown to have significantly more aflatoxin contamination than undamaged pods.

Life Cycle

LCBs overwinter as larvae or pupae in the soil. Adult moths emerge in the spring and lay eggs on the host plants. Larvae feed for about 3 weeks spinning silken tubes near the soil surface for protection.

Control

Outbreaks of LCB occur during periods of hot, dry weather. Rainfall or irrigation will greatly reduce the threat of LCB damage. Liquid insecticides directed at the base of host plants or granules applied to the soil can be effective but hot, dry conditions often reduce the longevity of registered insecticides.